Tap dancing shoe



Aug. 9, 1955 w. N. GAFFNl-:Y

TAP DANCING SHOE I Filed May 27, 1954 lfm/mmf United States Patent O TAP DANCING SHOE William N. Gaffney, Long Beach, Calif.

Application May 27, 1954, Serial No. 432,758

1 Claim. (Cl. 368.3)

This invention relates to a tap dancing shoe whereby tap dancing may be simulated by the user, the simulated tap being accomplished by metallic Clicker plates which are mounted on both the front and the rear of the shoe.

An object of my invention is to provide a novel tap dancing shoe, including a Centra] block which forms a fulcrum and enabling the user to rock on this central block and causing the Clicker plates at the front and rear of the shoe to be deected alternately, or as de sired by the user.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel tap dancing shoe which is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and which will effectively simulate a tap dance b y relatively inexperienced users.

Other objects, advantages and features of invention may appear from the accompanying drawing, the sub* joined detailed description and the appended claim.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tap dancing shoe.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3l is a perspective view of one of the Clicker plates and the seat therefor.

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the numeral 1 indicates a plate of sufficient length to t beneath the shoes of the user. The plate 1 is attached to the shoes of the user by means of a toe strap 2 and a heel strap 3. The heel strap 3 extends from the heel seat 4, as is usual in structures of this general character. A block 5 is xedly mounted in the center of the plate 1. This block is mounted on the bottom of the plate and a pad 6 is lixedly mounted on the bottom of the block 5. This pad may be formed of rubber, felt, or a synthetic material, and acts primarily as a fulcrum upon which the plate 1 may be rocked forwardly and backwardly. Stop blocks 7 and 8 are attached to the front and rear, respectively, of the plate 1, and on the bottom thereof and these stop blocks serve to limit the forward and rearward tipping action of the plate 1. The stop blocks 7 and 8 are also made of rubber, felt, or the like, and prevent the plate 1 from striking the floor during the dance.

2,714,769 Patented Aug. 9, 1955 At the front and rear of the central block 5, I provide metallic Clicker plates 9 and 10 which extend downwardly at an angle to the plate 1. These Clicker plates are formed of a suitable ilexible metal and when they are deflected they will emit a loud snap or click. A wedge shaped cricket seat 11 and 12 is mounted on the bottom of the plate 1 in a manner to be subsequently described. These seats are positioned immediately in front and in back of the block 5. The seats 11 and 12 are each formed with a recess 13 which serves as a sound box. The Clickers 9 and 10 extend across the bottom of each of the seats 11 and 12, respectively, and are held in position by means of bolts 14 and 15 which extend through the seats and through the plate 1, thus holding the assembly in proper position. The Clicker plates 9 and 10 are each slotted as shown at 16, so as to receive the bolts 14 or 15 and also to permit the Clicker plates to be removed and replaced as desired. Lock washers 17-18 extend across the bottom of each of the seats 1.1 and 12, thus holding the Clicker plates 9 and 10 in position. The lower curved end 19 of each of the Clicker plates 9 and 10 is positioned somewhat above floor level, that is, above the plane of the bottom of the pad 6. Thus it is necessary to rock the plate 1 forwardly and rearwardly over the pad 6 in order that the Clicker plates may engage the floor and he thus deected, Causing them to emit a loud snap or click. By thus rocking the plate 1 back and forth, it is possible to simulate the noise and rhythm of a tap dance.

Having described my invention, I claim:

A tap dancing shoe comprising an elongated plate, mounting means' on the plate whereby said plate is attached to the shoe of a wearer, a ground engaging weight carrying block mounted on said plate and on the bottom thereof, a wedge shaped seat mounted on the bottom of the plate forwardly of the block, a metallic spring Clicker, means securing the spring Clicker to the seat, a second wedge shaped seat mounted rearwardly of the block and on the bottom of the plate, a second metallic spring Clicker mounted on the.` second seat, a cushion pad on the bottom of said block, and stop blocks mounted on said plate at the front and rear of the plate and on the bottom thereof.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNlTED STATES PATENTS 

